“Time Travel”- What If?

This post will be the final one on this blog for 2021. The next post will appear on Wednesday, January 5,2022.  It will be the first essay of a three-part series…

Time Travel- What if……?

2021 America became 1941 America

A Different History

By 

John M. Lane

Imagine…….

 News Bulletins on Tuesday, December 16, 1941

“Fallout continues from the Pearl Harbor disaster, as members of the House are seriously considering asking for Impeachment proceedings against President Roosevelt. At a press conference today, several members demanded that the President resign immediately. Calling a bipartisan national unity government unnecessary, several Opposition members are demanding that Secretary of War Stimson and Secretary of the Navy Knox, both Opposition members, resign from the “incompetent” Roosevelt Administration. Neither has been available for comment. More to follow.

Congress finally approved Declarations of War against Germany and Japan after five days of fierce debate. The House approved the resolutions by eight votes and the Senate approved after gaining a filibuster proof majority. Members in both chambers were concerned about the possible length of the war and the resulting high casualties.

Calls, despite the US being engulfed in a worldwide war, continue to be made to investigate President Roosevelt’s victory in last year’s election. Perceived “irregularities in several states” need to be investigated said Senator— of —. “There is evidence of thousands of fraudulent votes being cast” he said. Confronted with the issue that these “fraudulent” votes came from high “minority” areas, the Senator said he “simply wanted a fair vote count”.

Anti-war groups continue their demands for an investigation of the Pearl Harbor attack. They claim to have evidence that the “international Bolshevik-Jewish conspiracy” and the “British International Cabal” were key players in crippling American intelligence efforts.

At least ten state governors have stated they will be “hesitant” to allow their state national guard to be called to federal service in the Army, saying that the call-up is a violation of states’ rights. Other state governors are sending Guard units to the Southern border to protect against “highly probable” German and Japanese troop movements into Mexico and Central America.

Anti- draft demonstrations continue in all areas of the country as protestors decry the intrusion into their “personal liberty, freedom and lack of control over their bodies”. Lawsuits are currently in the federal court system claiming that the 1940 conscription law is unconstitutional and the mandate for draft registration is illegal.

Senator— said today that it is time to immediately begin negotiations with Germany to end the war now, just five days after Germany declared war on the United States. Senator— also said that the United States should seek common ground with Hitler, who has done “many great things to improve life in Germany”.

All the major consumer corporations remain in talks with the government as to how much domestic consumer production can be limited to begin production of military vehicles, aircraft, and equipment. A spokesman said, “the talks are slowly having positive results.”

Local groups in at least 25 states have indicated that they will resist efforts to impose food and fuel rationing as “completely unnecessary and un-American” since it restricts “freedom and individual choice”.  The War and Navy Departments indicated that the rationing is necessary to feed and fuel what they hope will be a massive build-up of forces.

Cities on the eastern seaboard and along the Gulf of Mexico are resisting orders to institute “blackouts” in their cities after 7 PM. Several mayors, governors, and local chambers of commerce have indicated that the blackout will hurt business during prime hours of operation. Because ships are easily silhouetted against lit cities, the Germans have sunk three vessels in the last two days.

Congressperson— said today that the United States was partially responsible for the Pearl Harbor attack because of the “unnecessary economic sanctions” the US placed on Japan, because of the their invasion of China which started in 1937. He also stated that peace talks with Japan should begin immediately in order “to stop further bloodshed”.

“Real American” groups have stated that they will resist any opening of war production employment to all citizens, regardless of race or ethnic background, as an affront to true “Americanism” They will resist expansion of war production, which would mean slower war production and the loss of hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs. Many in the “Real American” groups have indicated that they would have no problem with a Nazi victory in Europe, as a means of saving “Western Civilization” from “Godless communism and liberalism”.

In Overseas News:

Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrived in Washington for talks with the Roosevelt Administration. His speech to a joint session of Congress was cancelled because of fears that it might offend Hitler and the Nazis.

Prominent “America First” supporters called on Churchill to immediately begin peace talks with Hitler to end the war. They also indicated that they are against further aid to Britain because it would increase the American budget deficit.

Anti-war groups are calling on General MacArthur to surrender his forces in the Philippines to the Japanese immediately to end the “unnecessary violence”.

Speaking on the new “Real America” radio network, Senator— indicated that reports coming out of the Soviet Union that during the German advance in that country over the summer and fall, follow-up Germans units were systematically massacring Soviet officials and Jews as “nonsense and fake news made up by the “international Bolshevik- Jewish conspiracy” and the “British International Cabal” He indicated that he believed the reports were false, “therefore they certainly are false.”

…That is the news for Tuesday, December 16, 1941. Thank you and good night.”

… if 2021 America went back in time to 1941 America. Thankfully, that cannot happen. We all have a general idea as to what happened. The vote for war was unanimous in the Senate, in the House there was one dissenting vote. National mobilization began immediately. Thousands volunteered for the military within days. Rationing for food and fuel was accepted as a patriotic duty, as millions “pitched in” whatever they could to support the war effort. After four years, victory was achieved.

President Roosevelt’s speech to Congress on December 8, 1941

“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. 

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. 

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph — so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.”

United States – Second World War Casualties:

Combat Deaths – 291,557

Deaths from Other Causes (Training, Accidents, Illness, etc.) – 113,842

Total Deaths- 405,399

Wounded- 670,846

Missing- 72,491

Total- 1, 076,245